Trump Threatens to Block Washington Commanders Stadium Deal Unless Name Changes Back

Fri Oct 17 2025 00:23:59 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

President Trump pressures NFL team over name reversal amid stadium negotiations

Trump has threatened to impede the stadium deal for the Washington Commanders unless they revert to their original name, sparking a debate over the team's controversial branding.

In a bold statement this past Sunday, President Donald Trump announced his intentions to halt negotiations surrounding the Washington Commanders' new stadium unless the football team reverts to its previous name, the Redskins. Trump's post on Truth Social claimed there was a significant demand for the team to change back, asserting it would enhance the team's value and overall excitement around the project.

The franchise officially abandoned the Redskins name in July 2020 after it was recognized as racist and offensive towards Indigenous peoples. They adopted the name Washington Football Team for the 2020 season before rebranding as the Commanders in 2022.

Earlier this April, an agreement was made for the team to construct a new £3 billion, 65,000-seat stadium on the site of the historic RFK Stadium, their home from 1961 to 1997. Recent developments have prompted the DC Council to expedite the approval process, influenced by suggestions from leading Republican figures.

Trump remarked, "I might impose a restriction that if they don't revert to the original name Washington Redskins and ditch the absurd Washington Commanders label, I won't support their stadium deal." He added that changing the name back would significantly increase the team's worth and the project's overall appeal.

In February, Trump also made headlines as the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl, which saw the Philadelphia Eagles triumph over the Kansas City Chiefs. Furthermore, he advocated for Major League Baseball's Cleveland Guardians to return to their prior name, the Cleveland Indians, claiming that a substantial number of Indigenous people desired this change.

Guardians team president Chris Antonetti responded to Trump's comments, stating that while he recognized varying opinions on the name change, the franchise is enthusiastic about building its brand as the Guardians over the past few years.

Meanwhile, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) condemned Trump's comments, reinforcing their position against the use of Native American-themed mascots, which they argue perpetuate harmful stereotypes and cultural appropriation. An official statement emphasized the need for respect for Indigenous culture and heritage.

BBC Sport has reached out to the Washington Commanders for their response regarding Trump's threat.